I'm Your Woman, a movie up on Amazon Prime since just yesterday, is a real treat. A superb, different kind of take on a well-worn subject, brought to life on the screen by Rachel Brosnahan.
The set-up: Jean, played by Brosnahan, is surprised by a baby her husband Eddie brings home to her one day. She can't have children, and he wants them to have the joy of a family. He's some kind of mobster killer, though, and shortly disappears. People presumably on his side show up to help Jean and Harry the baby survive.
So, we've seen this kind of thing before, as I said, but not with the lead role and baby in Brosnahan's hands. She starts being clueless about everything, from how to fry an egg to how to take care of a baby, let alone defend herself and him, but gradually draws on awesome instincts that get her out of all sorts of perilous situations, and learns from them and the people who want to help her. The best part of those helpers are Cal, Teri, and Cal's father Art, who teach Jean everything from how to take care of a baby to how to shoot a gun.
I don't want to say more about the plot, because this is the kind of narrative in which a surprise will jump out and point a gun at you every couple of scenes. I will say that not everyone survives, and not everyone escapes unscathed. I'll also say again how good the acting is. Arinzé Kene as Cal, Marsha Stephanie Blake (See You Yesterday) as Teri, and the ever-effective Frankie Faison as Art are just right for their savvy, homespun, ruthless when-need-be parts. And when you consider that you last saw Brosnahan on Amazon Prime as Mrs. Maisel, about as different a character from Jean as you can imagine, you can get a good idea of what a first-class actor she is.
Well, actually, Midge Maisel and Jean do have one big thing in common. A lot of heart. And that's what makes both stories such a pleasure to see.
Hats off to director Julia Hart, writers Hart and Jordan Horowitz, and everyone else involved in making this movie.
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